Going-to-the-Sun Road Tips for Driving Through Glacier!
Glacier National Park is consistently one of the top ten most visited parks in the continental United States, and for good reason. The park encompasses more than 1 million acres of land and includes sections of two mountain ranges, 700 miles of trails, over 200 waterfalls, and more than 130 named lakes. Nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent”, the park preserves glacier-carved peaks and valleys, dense alpine forests, and turquoise glacial lakes and streams.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 50-mile byway that cuts through the middle of the park, rising above 6,600 feet and passing over the Continental Divide. This main road gives visitors what feels like a bird’s eye view of the park, with a new breathtaking scene around every turn. Because driving this road is the most popular thing to do in the park it is ideal to know what to expect when planning your visit to Glacier National Park. Read on for our tips on driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road!
Note: Due to the heavy snowfall in Glacier the GTTSR is only open during summer months, starting as early as mid-May and occasionally opening as late as mid-July.
How to Get to Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park lies in northern Montana directly along the border of Canada and the United States. The closest airport is Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, 30 miles from the west entrance to Glacier National Park.
While there is a shuttle service traveling through the park, to get to some of the areas off the beaten path you will need your own vehicle. There are so many interesting towns, lakes, and state parks surrounding Glacier you may also want to visit, so having your own transportation is ideal.
Fun fact: Glacier is actually part of the world’s first International Peace Park, partnering with Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park to create a symbol of good will and cooperation between the two countries.
Driving Tips for Going-to-the-Sun Road: What You Need to Know
One of the top scenic drives in the U.S., driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road is an experience you won’t soon forget. Narrow roads, rock tunnels, twists and turns, scenic overlooks thousands of feet high, glacial peaks and trailing waterfalls fill the landscape on your journey through Glacier National Park. The drive is amazing, but there are some things you need to know before heading out to the park.
1. Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservation System
Due to the immense size of the park, the fact that there is only one main road traveling through the park, and the shortened season to drive this particular road, the GTTSR can get very crowded! In order to aid with crowd control and to reduce congestion the NPS has started requiring reservations for driving on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The reservation is valid for three consecutive days, beginning at 6AM each morning and ending at 4PM in the afternoon. Meaning, if you enter the park outside of these hours you will not need a reservation to drive the road. However, there have been reports of visitors receiving tickets when their vehicles were left along a trail head without a GTTSR daily pass.
Note: Visitors who are staying inside the park at one of the park lodges, campers, those with commercial tour groups, and those entering on foot or by bicycle will not be required to provide a reservation.
2. Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle service
There is a free shuttle service that runs the length of GTTSR, which is a great opportunity to see the views without having to drive the road yourself. This is perfect for those who did not get a reservation, who have longer RV’s that can’t make the turns (see FAQ below about driving an RV on GTTSR), or for bikers and hikers who prefer to be dropped off at their trail head.
The summer shuttle service begins when the road fully opens and continues through Labor Day, then operates on a more limited schedule until mid-September. There are also shuttles exclusively for hikers and bikers offered on weekends beginning in early May until the road officially opens.
Note: Shuttles are wheelchair accessible and most are also equipped with bike racks.
3. The best time to visit Glacier National Park
The summer months are the best time to visit the park if you want to drive the GTTSR. Even though this is when the park is the busiest, all facilities, roads, visitor centers and trails will be open and ready for you to explore. Summer temperatures range from the upper-40°F at night to highs around 80°F. Plan on long days and most likely some parking difficulties at the most visited destinations.
The best way we have found is to get an early start to beat the crowds at some of the more popular locations. Pack a lunch in a cooler so you don’t have to stop and purchase food. There are several pullover spots scattered up and down the GTTSR that have more than enough space for a gorgeous roadside picnic!
4. Highlights along the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Highly recommended stops along Going-to-the-Sun Road:
- Lake McDonald Lodge
- Avalanche Creek
- Logan Pass, visitor center, and trails
- Weeping Wall
- Haystack Falls
- Big Bend Overlook
- Heaven’s Peak
There are two great hikes beginning at the Logan Pass Visitor Center: Highline Trail and Hidden Lakes Trail. David and I did the Hidden Lakes Trail, which apparently has steps along a well marked trail. However when we went in the beginning of July the trail was still completely covered in snow! It was absolutely stunning at the top and we saw several mountain goats along the way.
Tip: Parking here can be tricky, as these are two of the most popular hikes in the park. We had family members who didn’t wish to do the hike, so they continued meandering along the GTTSR until we were ready to be picked up. The best plan is to arrive early to get a spot!
5. Wildlife in Glacier
From big horn sheep, grizzly and black bears, elk, deer, beavers and mountain goats to bats and the tiny pygmy shrew, Glacier has an abundance of animals big and small. Because Glacier was designated as a national park early on in 1910, the ecosystems and habitats of these animals have been preserved and relatively untouched for over a century. Even the rarely seen lynx and mountain lion find refuge here.
On that note, it is important to be bear aware– especially if visiting in the summer when the bears are gearing up for hibernation. In one day we came across a herd of big horn sheep, several mountain goats, and two grizzly bears! When hiking make sure to have your bear spray accessible, and get to know how to use it. The rule of thumb is to keep 25 yards away from any large mammal and 100 yards away from bears.
Common questions about driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road
How do I make a reservation for GTTSR?
Reservations are per vehicle and cost $2. There are two ways to make a reservation, one is to sign on to Recreation.gov 120 days in advance of your trip and try to get a ticket as soon as they are released. The second way is to sign on at 8AM MDT the day before you wish to go, as more reservations are opened. Proof of reservation, park lodging, or a tour will need to be shown at the various check-points in order to proceed along the road.
Note: The reservation does not get you into the park, you will still need to pay the park entrance fee or have an America the Beautiful park pass.
Can you drive the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road?
GTTSR begins in West Glacier at Apgar Village and ends in St. Mary. The entire road is drivable (see the length and height restrictions below). The road is so narrow in some sections that we had an SUV and there were times we had to pull our side mirrors in to avoid scraping them along the rock wall.
Tip: There are gas stations at the start and end of the road, but none in between. Be sure to fill up ahead of time!
How long does it take to drive the the Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Driving the entire length of the road takes about two hours from beginning to end without stopping. Plan at least half a day though to allow time for overlooks, photo opportunities, and occasional traffic. Allow for even more time if you wish to hike any of the trails in Glacier.
What happens if I don't get a GTTSR reservation?
One major question is, can I still see Glacier without driving on Going-to-the-Sun Road? The answer is, Yes! There is so much to do besides driving the scenic road through the park. Many Glacier Valley, Two Medicine Valley, Cut Bank, and the area between the St. Mary Entrance and Rising Sun do not require reservations and are absolutely stunning.
Alternatively, book a boat tour or other tour inside the park to gain access for the day. Here are 17 Glacier National Park Tours worth checking out! Alternatively you can take the free shuttle through the park.
Can I drive my RV on GTTSR?
Because of the narrow roads and tight turns, vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited along certain sections of the road between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. Vehicles over 10 feet in height may have issues going over Logan Pass, due to the tunnels and rock overhangs in the area. If you can, leave the RV at the campsite and explore the park by car or shuttle.
How many days do I need at Glacier National Park?
The short answer is, as many days as you can spare! The park is massive and with so many hiking trails, scenic overlooks, lakes and waterfalls to explore, you could spend weeks here and still not see everything. But if you want to see just the highlights due to time constraints, a minimum of two days should be spent in the park.
We recommend spending the first day driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, stopping at overlooks and pullovers to get epic views of the park from above. On your second day, pick one or two of the best hikes in Glacier National Park. You can also head to Many Glacier or Two Medicine Valley to really explore what Glacier has to offer.
If you have more time, this perfect 5-Day Glacier National Park Itinerary hits all of the highlights, includes hiking and kayaking, and recommends local eateries as well!
How do I know if Going-to-the-Sun Road is open?
Visitors can check this NPS site for current road conditions, including information on GTTSR such as opening dates, road closures, and construction updates.
Is it scary to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road?
There are areas of high elevation, steep drop-offs, narrow lanes and some sharp turns. However, the speed limit is lower in these areas and you can take your time. Plus there are multiple pull-offs if you need to take a break, or to let others that want to move faster pass by. We never felt nervous driving along the road!
When planning any trip to a National Park we highly recommend the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. On this particular road trip we visited Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton National Parks, so the pass paid for itself on just one trip.
If you are planning on visiting more than 2 parks a year, the pass is definitely worth your investment. At some parks it even saves you time entering the park, as you can bypass the normal lines and drive right in!
If you have more time...
If you have extra days to explore Glacier National Park, venture out to Many Glacier. Redrock Falls, Grinnell Lake, and Apikuni Falls are great easy to moderate hikes in this area with gorgeous views. This is also a great location to stay since it is so close to the main parts of the park! Many Glacier Hotel and the Many Glacier Campground are top picks for lodging on this side of the park.
Tips for a family vacation to Glacier National Park
- Bring more water than you think you will need, the Rockies are rugged and can get pretty high in elevation. These hydration packs are great for hiking with kids because of all of the different compartments for snacks, tissues, hand sanitizer, and anything else you may need along the way!
- There are several hikes that are very exposed with no shade, so sunscreen is a must! Also a hat and sunglasses are helpful.
- In the late summer the mosquitoes can be awful, so bring good bug spray. Also citronella candles or tiki torches are helpful if you are camping.
- We’ve already mentioned the importance of bear spray, which is a must when hiking in Glacier. Especially when hiking with kids, who will always bring snacks on the hike, which the bears can smell from miles away!
- Pack a few extra layers of clothing in case the wind kicks up on any of the hikes. You are in the Rockies after all!
- A great item to travel with is a portable GPS navigation, we bring ours on every trip. This one is affordable and easy to pack! Keep in mind that there is very little cellular service in the park and you may not be able to rely on your phone’s GPS.
- A set of inexpensive binoculars kept our kids busy on hikes for hours. They loved trying to see wildlife high up in the mountains!
- Allow extra time when driving through the park due to congestion during the summer months.
On this road trip we traveled from Colorado and stopped at several other national parks along the way, including one epic glamping experience. We will be posting all about this amazing road trip soon.
More of our favorite U.S. National Park itineraries:
Safe travels!
Wow these mountain trails and views are sensational, somewhere I’d like to explore some day.
Wow, your pictures look incredible! I would love to visit one day, thank you for sharing such helpful information.